Cell Count and Differential, Pleural Fluid

Test Code

327

CPT Codes
89051

Includes

Color, Appearance, Total Nucleated Cell Count, Neutrophils %, Lymphocytes %, Monocyte/Macrophage %, Eosinophils %, Basophils %, Mesothelial %

Preferred Specimen

3 mL pleural fluid in an EDTA (lavender-top) tube or sodium heparin (green-top) tube

Minimum Volume

1 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Red-top (non-clot activator) tube or plastic vial

Transport Container

EDTA (lavender-top) tube or sodium heparin (green-top) tube

Transport Temperature

Room temperature

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 48 hours
Refrigerated: 48 hours
Frozen: Unacceptable

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Clotted

Methodology
Automated analyzer and/or Manual Microscopic examination

Setup Schedule

Daily

Report Available

1 day

Limitations

Traumatic tap will affect results.

Reference Range

Color	Pale Yellow
Appearance	Clear
Total Nucleated Cell Count	Not established
Neutrophils, %	Not established
Lymphocytes, %	Not established
Monocyte/Macrophage, %	Not established
Eosinophils, %	Not established
Basophils, %	Not established
Mesothelial, %	Not established

Clinical Significance

An excess accumulation of fluid within the pleura may occur in the presence of the following disease states: transudates, exudates, neoplastic disease, pulmonary emboli/infarction, collagen vascular disease, gastrointestinal disease, postmyocardial infarction, and trauma.

Performing Laboratory

Quest Diagnostics-Seattle

1737 Airport Way S Suite 200

Seattle, WA 98134-1636

Last Updated: November 6, 2024

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.